Go Green

Or go to the largest King Soopers in the US.  Whatev.

Today's Ensemble: Ogres Have Layers

I particularly liked this shirt pairing - might be slighly addicted to these colors put together.  I decided at the beginning of this year I get into ruts once I get new clothing pieces.  So I made a resolution to wear something new/old every day - even if it's just one change.  Utilize my sinfully extensive wardrobe.  It makes every day a fashion adventure.

Also, sometimes I say things and I totally hear my dad talking!  Does that happen to anyone else?

Maybe one day I'll be as funny...

Sweater: formerly Old Navy, ARC Thrift
Button-down: formerly J. Crew, ARC Thrift
Undershirt: Rock Springs, WY mall
Jeans: Target
Jewelry: Wal Mart
Nail Polish (because it's awesome): Ulta

Courtesy of Dog Eat Doug.

Look what I found!

I thought I'd lost this when I moved to Colorado!  Turns out it was a new present all over again!  My mom made me these for my dorm room.  I'm so happy to have them back!

Dream House

Probably a million dollar home in the coolest neighborhood in north Boulder.  Ugh.

Tea & Sympathy

I just had 6 boxes of beautiful milk glass fall in my lap.  I now use the beautiful glasses every time I drink coffee!  It's the perfect pairing with my prayer journal.  Can't get enough of them!

Ideas

Love love love the colors and do-it-yourself idea!  Courtesy of Pretty Little Things.

Rest Stop

We took Kona to Intermediate Training Sunday night, and when we got back, Hilo was gone.  Luckily, a neighbor spotted her and, after trying to put her back in the yard, took her home with him.  As it turns out, Hilo can scale a six foot fence.  Terrifyingly easily.  So, after hours of deliberation and pro/con lists, we decided to put trellis up to try to dissuade her from doing so.

It had been up all of two minutes when she walked up to it and, from a seated position, jumped it, bringing the trellis down and escaping once again.

We had to take her back.  I cried for hours.  Kona, however, was finally able to get some rest.

What?

We love Love

Dora

Ha!  Get it?  We've run out of names from Wall-E, and the only appropriate one from How to Train Your Dragon was Astrid, and Mike refused to name a car this cool Astrid.  So Dora it is!

Introducing what might be my favorite company car ever: the 2011 Ford Explorer.

Time to Wander Gypsy & the Cat

Hilo

Oops, we did it again!  And found a name that not only fits with the Hawaiian theme, but is also a subtle nod to Battlestar Galactica.  She is precious.  Sweet, loving, gentle, great on walks, great in the car, and already crate trained at a year old.  She was found stray in Durango and transfered here Wednesday!  We put her on hold at the Boulder Humane Society ten minutes after she was posted.  Loves her.  And the Kona Man!

Loves the snow almost as much as Kona...

 And the snug...

 Only Child has not learned to share...

Wyoming

There for 3 days.

Yep.

Snake Charmer

I seriously had nothing to do with any sort of placement in this photo.  Seriously.

Basements: Everyone Should Have One

Ah the black stairs leading down to the basement that once so baffled our color-blind pooch.  These stairs led to mass chaos of storage and the result of many "Where should I put this" questions.  It was just a wasted space, with workout paraphernalia strewn about in various corners.  Despite being finished, it wasn't being used.

I'd also like to add something to the entrance down, but we'll deal with that later.  Project!

I took the few pieces of furniture being stored down there and, after some elbow grease, a fat lip, and ingenuity in moving things I shouldn't have been moving alone, I managed to separate the space into two areas all their own.  To the left, the Workout Room.  My old Mac used as a DVD player for Tony Horton sits on top of Mike's old TV stand, which doubles as an exercise stuff holder (as you can see).  I lined all the weights up to be easily reached, and in front of the mirrors that were already there.  Complete with chair (needed for some arm moves) and mats all nice and stored, it makes for the perf space!

The door that leads to the basement crawlspace where all our storage actually is (most of which is empty boxes - just in case) doubles as a band holder for Legs & Back workouts.  Also Kona.  Who is not allowed in the basement due to the black carpet and it's ability to make Kona's shedding glaringly obvious.

Don't tell Mike.

But my *obvious* fav space: the craft nook to the right!  This small space used to hold the old TV stand and varios piles of stuff we didn't want to deal with.  But the size is SO PERF for a craft biz area, especially now that I have my mom's old sewing machine (thanks Mom!).

My vintage desk is now relatively glued back together, the white shelves were already there above it when we moved in.  Much of the organizational biz was in my closet not being put to good use when I changed how I stored my sweaters.  It's functional, albeit not that pretty, down here.  Another one of Mike's original dining room chairs (both of which had been sitting in the basement) doubles as a piano bench to Tim's overwhelming keyboard with 300 settings.  As long as I can get it to sound like a Grand, that's all I'm worried about.  The wooden shelves were my great grandmother's, and were originally my library holder.  But we all know we don't need those anymore!

So total cost of said basement redo?  $0.  The difference some effort, organization, determination, and use of stuff we already had can make!

The best part?  Mike LOVES it!  Yay!

Busted Lip

While putting my old vintage desk back together with some hard work, gorilla glue, and one attempt at a nail, I managed to hit myself in the mouth with the handle of the hammer.  And I mean hard.  I was so stunned I didn't even cry at first.  But it took less time than that for the fat lip to appear.

And of course, my first thought was: how am I going to explain this at church?!

Lame attempt to document said fat lip.  Reminds me more of those facebook pictures everyone makes fun of.  Natural pout...BAM!

This week's thrift store finds

Small finds - almost all vintage.  A pair of shoes from China (literally don't have a US size - love it).  Vintage sequined sweater from an import shop in Maimi Beach (according to the very old tag).  Vintage nightgown I'm going to use for an altered wearable art project.  I've been looking for one of these for a few weeks now.  This one was never worn, but has a very old tag as well!

 And Kona, who just wants to be a part of it, too.  Always.

Ready to Start by Arcade Fire

I HEART BSG

Mike and I concluded the final season of Battlestar Galactica (we jumped on that bandwagon just a couple of years late) and I have to say it is THE best show I have ever watched.  To commemorate this epic evening (since a photo of us sitting on our butts in our pajamas just doesn't cut it) here is a clip with the best from the cast - doing the best of Dave Letterman.

Who knew Lee Adama was British?!  Dood.  Did NOT see that coming.

All Along the Watchtower sung by Bear McCreary

View from Above

You should click to get the full effect. :-)  Taken at sunset from our bedroom.

It's Not My Party by Diamond Rings

The Burgers

It's a little drive-in family on a now abandoned A&W.  It was WAY to cold to stop...but I see them every time I'm in Casper, so I thought I'd snap on my way out.

Breakaway by Gypsy & the Cat

Iced Mocha

This is what happens when you leave coffee in your car overnight.  And it's negative 5 degrees.

Old Little Girls by The Jezebels

Snow Day

Kona just can't get enough.

90 Mile Water Wall by The National

Coach

Mike coaching indoor futsol.  He's such a cutie.

Time to Pretend by MGMT

This week's thrift store finds

Mike actually wanted to read in bed with me the other night.  In hopes this might, one day, turn into more than a yearly occurance, I found him a really nice floor lamp with two different settings at ARC.

 Some fun shirt finds amidst the racks...

 My love of the Mossimo dress continues, and a gorgeous Banana Republic sweater with shell buttons!

I know, Mom, it's beyond an obsession.  But here are an Ann Taylor and Talbots sweater I couldn't pass up either...I need to quit.  But they're two bucks!

 Finally, some AWESOMELY versatile plastic drawer sets.  These range from $40 - $60 for a set of three.  I 3 large drawers and 5 small drawers, all for $3 each.  Not bad, and now my closet and cabinets are so incredibly organized!

I Believe by Blessed Union of Souls

Wine & Cheese

This had to be the most perfect night!  Mike and I went to The Orchard (our fav outdoor shopping center) to try a new dining experience: Wine & Cheese.

They.  Aren't.  Kidding.

This place takes everything you love about wine, cheese, garnishes, and a relaxing, candle-lit atmosphere, and then puts all these things on overdrive.  It's amazing!  We went all out for our "New Year's" since we were sick in bed for the actual night, and ordered 4 different cheeses and 1 type of meat.  It was heaven.  They also allow you to try any 3 wines from their extensive wine list as flights!  And everything is in very generous portions.  I walked out of there with a whole new outlook on life, and an incredibly full stomach!

Terrible Love by The National